Introduction

PM Gati Shakti Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2021, is a transformative national infrastructure plan designed to integrate and streamline India’s multi-modal transport systems. The scheme aims to create a unified digital platform to bring together 16 ministries for coordinated infrastructure planning and execution.

Objective of PM Gati Shakti

The primary goal of this scheme is to enhance logistics efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure seamless connectivity across various sectors, including roads, railways, airports, ports, mass transport, waterways, and logistics infrastructure. This approach aims to boost India’s competitiveness globally by facilitating faster movement of goods and services.

Key Components of PM Gati Shakti

  1. Unified Digital Platform:
    The platform integrates data from 16 ministries, enabling real-time updates on ongoing and planned infrastructure projects. This ensures that different departments work in sync, reducing delays and cost overruns.

  2. Multi-Modal Connectivity:
    The scheme focuses on creating better interconnections between various modes of transport like railways, highways, ports, and airports, ensuring last-mile connectivity.

  3. Priority Areas:
    Key focus areas include industrial corridors, logistics parks, agricultural produce clusters, energy corridors, and defense corridors. The plan will improve connectivity for critical industries and boost the ease of doing business.

How the Process Works

  1. Planning:
    Ministries involved upload details of ongoing and upcoming projects on the Gati Shakti platform. The system uses satellite imagery and GIS-based tools for planning, ensuring minimal environmental impact and faster approvals.

  2. Coordination:
    With all relevant ministries on the same platform, coordination improves, leading to better resource allocation and synergy. For instance, if a railway line needs to be built along a highway, both ministries collaborate from the start to reduce duplication and costs.

  3. Monitoring:
    Real-time project monitoring ensures timely completion of projects. It also helps identify bottlenecks early, allowing quicker resolution of issues. The dashboard offers detailed insights into project progress, timelines, and expenses.

  4. Implementation:
    Infrastructure development under Gati Shakti covers several flagship projects, including Bharatmala (highways), Sagarmala (ports), UDAN (airports), and Dedicated Freight Corridors (railways). Each project is implemented in a phased manner to meet targeted deadlines.

Impact of PM Gati Shakti

  • Economic Growth:
    Improved infrastructure will reduce the overall logistics cost in India, currently around 14% of GDP, to match global standards of 8-10%. This will enhance the competitiveness of Indian goods in global markets.

  • Ease of Doing Business:
    The scheme improves supply chain efficiency, making India an attractive destination for both domestic and foreign investments.

  • Job Creation:
    With faster infrastructure development, PM Gati Shakti is expected to create millions of direct and indirect jobs across sectors.

  • Sustainable Development:
    The use of advanced technologies like GIS, AI, and big data ensures minimal environmental disruption and sustainable growth.

Challenges and Solutions

Challenges:

  • Coordination between multiple agencies
  • Land acquisition and environmental clearances
  • Technological adoption across states and departments

Solutions:

  • The unified platform addresses coordination issues by providing a single point of contact for project updates and decision-making.
  • Faster clearance processes and technological integration reduce project delays.

Conclusion

PM Gati Shakti Yojana represents a paradigm shift in how infrastructure is planned and executed in India. By integrating technology, fostering inter-ministerial coordination, and focusing on multi-modal connectivity, the scheme is poised to transform India’s logistics landscape and drive economic growth. With its successful implementation, India can emerge as a global manufacturing and trade hub in the near future.